Description

American Literature Live will focus on building a comprehensive understanding of basic literary elements such as irony, duality, juxtaposition, and, more importantly, a love of literature.

The class will meet once per week over Zoom. Because our teacher is continuing her education for the next few months, the exact day and time is TBD. If you register for the class, you will ensure a spot for your student. If the day and time of the class doesn’t fit your schedule when it is announced, you will be eligible for a refund of the class cost.

The format will be discussion-based with short lectures focused on the historical context of a particular book or short story. Students will read a variety of literary forms and learn how to write a basic thesis paper and find their own voice. The papers should reflect the student’s personal opinion as well as his ability to grasp literary concepts. The course can be used alongside Dave Raymond’s American History course but is also structured to stand alone.

List of Readings

Bold items need to be purchased separately. Any unabridged editions will do. Suggested purchase links are provided.

1. “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” Mark Twain
2. The Aztec Hunters, Francis William Rolt-Wheeler (selections TBD)
3. Explorer Stories (selections TBD)
4. The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Elizabeth George Speare [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
5. Poems by Anne Bradstreet
6. Poems by Phyllis Wheatley
7. Johnny Tremain, Esther Forbes [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
8. The Declaration of Independence & The United States Constitution
9. “The Cask of Amontillado,” “The Purloined Letter,” Edgar Allan Poe
10. “Rip van Winkle,” Washington Irving
11. Poems by Emily Dickinson
12. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
13. Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, ThriftBooks]
14. Battle-Pieces & Aspects of the War, Herman Melville
15. Across Five Aprils, Irene Hunt [Amazon, BetterWorldBooks, Thriftbooks]
16. The Wilderness Hunter, Theodore Roosevelt (selections)
17. “After 20 Years,” O. Henry

Schedule of Class Meetings

Because our teacher is continuing her education for the next few months, the exact day and time is TBD.

Mary Pierson Purifoy has completed a history degree and was homeschooled until college. An avid reader and writer, she hopes to teach students to love books, writing, and history as well as a solid understanding of these subjects. Film is another passion as is exploring history through film and literature.